Ablett backs premiership bid

Gold Coast captain Gary Ablett believes the Suns can meet their goal of an AFL premiership within the next three years.

Suns' chairman John Witheriff stated the club's aim to win a title by the end of the 2015 season last month and Ablett says it's an achievable goal.

The midfielder, who won two premierships during his time with Geelong, admires Witheriff's ambition and says it should be seen as nothing less than a challenge to the Suns' players.

"I think it's a fantastic thing," Ablett told reporters on Wednesday. "We've got a very talented group. It's going to take a lot of hard work but there's no doubt we can get there.

"I'm stoked the club has the confidence in the playing group."

Ablett said he and coach Guy McKenna had been informed of Witheriff's aim before the chairman went public and he's confident it's more than just a ploy to gain members.

"Bluey (McKenna) was pretty confident and I was as well that we've got the playing group around the club that that (premiership) can happen in three years," he said.

Ablett says he's almost back to full fitness after straining his back in a wrestling drill during the Suns' pre-season camp in Arizona.

The nature of that injury didn't put him off welcoming some of the stars of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) to Carrara on Wednesday ahead of a UFC bout on the Gold Coast this weekend.

A keen fan of mixed martial arts, Ablett said spending time with the athletes had been a good experience.

"It's good fun. It's great coming out to days like this to meet other athletes to see how they train, how they prepare for their fights and it was good to be able to show them some of our skills," he said.

AAP

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